I’m Steve Slowik, a piano teacher with a long-standing reputation for assisting students in building confidence and skill at the piano,and reaching their musical potential. I assist in the support, promotion and development of newly emerging pianists who seek careers as concert pianists. Through my diverse background and extensive study, I have developed skills in working with beginning and advanced pianists, special needs children and pianists who have developed injuries at the piano. My passion for promoting excellence in the pianistic arts and enhancing the cultural environment of South Florida led me to serve as past Program Coordinator for the Miami International Piano Festival Academy, and to hold a seat on the Board of Directors of Patrons of Exceptional Artists. I’m a member of the Broward County Music Teachers Association Student Day Evaluations. Many of my students recently played in a recital to benefit the Broward County Music Teachers Association, raising funds for ArtServe of Broward, and for scholarships.

Testimonial

“Within a year of working with Steven Slowik, our son Marc has made tremendous progress. “Mr. Steve” as we call him, is highly professional and is a dedicated teacher. He has a wonderful approach to children, keeping them engaged and eager to learn more. We are thrilled with both his approach and the results and would highly recommend him for anyone seriously interested in learning to play the piano.” Kate Vengerovich

Assisting children and adults in building confidence and skill at the piano has been my passion since 1984. Through my diverse background and extensive study I have developed skills in working with beginning pianists, special needs children and pianists who have developed injuries at the piano. I hope you will explore my website to learn more about me and the unique opportunities I offer to pianists both beginning and advanced.

Education and Training

Bachelor of Music from the Conservatory of Music at Capital University

Master of Sacred Music from Concordia University, Riverforest Illinois

Why Study the Piano

10 Reasons why music education is essential (bcmta.org)

1. Music students attend college at a rate twice the national average. Bands Across the USA

2. Music students perform better on achievement tests in reading and math. B. Friedman, "An Evaluation of the Achievement in Reading and Arithmetic of Pupils in Elementary School Instrumental Music Classes."

3. College admissions officers cite participation in music as an important factor in making admissions decisions. Carl Hartman, Arts May Improve Students' Grades," The Associated Press

4, Music majors are the most likely group of college graduates to be admitted to medical school. "The Comparative Academic Abilities of Students in Education and in Other Areas of Multi-focus University," Peter H. Wood

5. Nearly 100% of past winners in the prestigious Siemens Westinghouse Competition in Math, Science, and Technology (for high School students) play one or more musical instruments. The Midland Chemist (American Chemical Society) Vol. 42, No. 1, Feb. 2005

6. Musical training improves how the brain processes the spoken word, a finding that researchers say could lead to improving the reading ability of children with dyslexia. From "Playing music can be good for your bran," SF Chronicle, November 17, 2005 (article on recent Stanford research study linking music and language)

7. In a 2000 survey, 73 percent of respondents agree that teens who play an instrument are less likely to have discipline problems. "American Love Making Music - And Value Music Education More Highly than Ever" American Music Conference 2000.

8. Students who were exposed to music lessons scored a full 100 percent higher on tests covering fractions. Neurological Research (journal), March 15, 1999

9. Young children who take music lessons show improved memory over the course of a year. Dr. Laurel Trainor, Prof. of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behavior at McMaster University, 2006

10. The very best engineers and technical designers in Silicon Valley are, nearly without exception, practicing musicians. "The Case for Sequential Music Education in the Core Curriculum of the Public Schools, "The Center for the Arts in the Basic Curriculum, New York 1989

Challenges at the Piano

Pain and the Piano

Pain does not have to be a part of the piano.

It is unfortunate, that pain at the piano can be a reality for many pianists. It does not have to be this way! Many people at some point in their piano playing experience shoulder pain, wrist pain, lower back pain from playing the piano. It does not have to be this way!

Recovering from a severe spinal injury led me to work with The Golandsky Institute and Giselle Brodsky. Through 10 years studying the Taubman Technique and working with Giselle Brodsky, I have gained insights to a more natural technique that works with balance and gravity to overcome pain and produce a more fluid technique, resulting in a more artistic approach to the piano.

If you are suffering from wrist, hand, back, or shoulder pain call me and we can discuss ways restore your playing to a more free and expressive experience without the pain!

Special needs and autistic children

Children with learning and developmental challenges are welcome in my studio. Having taught in Weston Florida for the past 15 years, I have had the opportunity to work with many children with a wide range of learning and developmental challenges.

Especially common were children with Autism. Although each child is unique, children with Asperger's syndrome present a common pattern of fine motor skill challenges that require special patience during the first few years of lessons. Though, it has been my experience that what often can be quite severe coordination issues, over time the motor skills can be developed and many difficulties overcome. Also, it appears that music can often be a way in which Autistic children can find an emotional outlet and a way to express ideas and emotions often difficult to express in more traditional ways.

If you would like to speak further about special needs that you or your child may have, please contact me. It would be my pleasure to discuss my experiences and what opportunities may be available.